Top 10 Margaret River Region orchid hotspots

The Margaret River Region and the Cape to Cape Track has remarkable biodiversity, and if you visit in spring you’ll observe an abundance of wildflowers and orchids in blossom.

It is rated by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) as one of the world’s most important areas for biodiversity and conservation, and if you come in spring you’ll see why.

Wildflower season in the Margaret River Region begins at the northern end of the capes near Busselton and moves south towards Augusta as spring progresses. With this in mind, we’ve listed the top wildflower hotspots following the coastline from north to south to help you plan. And remember to leave the environment just as you found it – the picking of native flowers is strictly prohibited.

Over 2,500 species of wildflowers decorate the region in vivid colours with their delicate flowers. The colour range and combinations are amazing with the brightest of true blue, lime green, yellow, red, pink, orange, white and mauve to name just a few. The intricacy of the flowers will bewilder you, especially the orchids. Look out for these tiny yet magnificent works of art hiding where you least expect them. There are 150 species of orchid, many of which are rare and endangered. Be on the lookout for the splendid spider orchid and giant donkey orchid, which are celebrated finds amongst botanical enthusiasts.

Although there are wildflowers year round, the best time to be truly amazed at the intensity and variety of the wildflowers is from August to November. Some of the best wildflower hotspots are along the coastal walking tracks, rivers, forests and around the caves. Or better still, take a wildflower tour with a local guide.

Wildflower tour in the Margaret River Region. Credit Tim Campbell.

1. LUDLOW TUART FOREST, BUSSELTON

The 2000 hectare Ludlow Tuart Forest National Park is the largest remaining area of pure tuart forest in the world. A number of beautiful scenic drives provide outstanding views of spectacular grey-trunked tuart trees. Orchids feature prominently in the flora list in springtime. A short interpretive walk site has been developed off Higgins Road in the Shire of Capel.

See: Tuart Trees, yellow flowering Hibbertia, Hardenbergia, Cape Spider orchid.

Get there: Easy access via Tuart Drive off Bussell Highway.

2. AMBERGATE RESERVE, BUSSELTON

This stunning reserve contains at least 326 species of native flowering plants. The four kilometre walk trail is a wildflower hotspot that provides access through all parts of the reserve where you’ll see orchids, rare Verticordia and great Christmas tree displays in December. The reserve has a small interpretive shelter with information on the reserve and where brochures of the walk trail can be found.

See: Spider, Donkey, Enamel, Jug, Rattle Beak, Pink Fairy, White Bunny, Hare, Flying Duck and Blue Lady orchids, Verticordias, Swan River Myrtle, Trigger Plants, Coral Vine, Grass Trees.

Get there: Travel west along Busselton Bypass and turn left onto Queen Elizabeth Avenue. Continue to the carpark on the corner of Doyle Road, some 7km south of the Bypass.

3. WHICHER RANGE, BUSSELTON

Two things are certain: if you don’t visit the Whicher Range, you’ll never find the best wildflowers; and, if you don’t park and walk through the bush on the side of the road, you’ll likely miss the thousands of colourful but small flowering plants that characterise this special part of Busselton.

Get there: The Vasse Highway and Sues Road offer the quickest and easiest access to this biodiverse area but many minor roads will also provide access to different parts of the Whicher Range.

Wildflowers Margaret River Sean Blocksidge

4. CAPTAIN BAUDIN RESERVE, BUSSELTON

Squeezed between the ocean and the Vasse Estuary, this is a good spot for coastal wildflowers and seeing waterbirds on the Vasse Estuary wetlands, listed as ‘Wetlands of International Importance’ by the Ramsar Convention. More than 30,000 birds of 80 species have been recorded within the Vasse and Wonnerup Estuaries in springtime, many of them rare.

See: Caladenia procera (Carbunup King Spider Orchid), Rattle Beak, Enamel, Coastal, Flying Duck, King-in-his-Carriage, Donkey and Jug Orchids. Kangaroo Paws, Hibbertia (Buttercups), Blue Grass Lily.

Get there: Travel towards central Busselton off Bussell Highway via Causeway Road. Turn right onto Peel Terrace and onto Layman Road. Access is off Layman Road in the Wonnerup area on the east side of Port Geographe.

5. BIG ROCK RESERVE, DUNSBOROUGH

Beautiful views over Dunsborough, Busselton and the Indian Ocean will reward you for climbing to the top of Big Rock. Located on the Leeuwin Naturaliste Ridge, the Reserve represents a rich diversity of vegetation, with rocky valleys and sandy rises. The steep slopes have also allowed the formation of two main streams flowing through.

See: Chapman’s Spider orchid, Cowslip Orchid, Common Donkey Orchid, Purple Enamel Orchid, Forest Mantis.

Get there: Take Caves Road to Dunsborough and then to Quedjinup. Turn left onto Yungurra Drive, then right onto Jones Road and right onto Big Rock Place.

Wildflowers Margaret River Spider Orchids

6. MEELUP REGIONAL PARK, DUNSBOROUGH

Meelup Regional Park covers an impressive 11.5 kilometres of coastline from Dunsborough to Bunker Bay. The coastline here faces north east, which means that it is sheltered enough for tall trees and dense vegetation to grow down to the water’s edge. The park encompasses whale watching lookouts and some of the best beaches in Western Australia.

See: A wildflower hotspot with several varieties of Spider, Mustard, Jug, Donkey and possibly the rare Dunsborough orchid. Pea Bushes, Acacias (Wattles), Hakeas, Hibertia (Buttercup).

Get there: Take Cape Naturaliste Road from the centre of Dunsborough, and turn right down Meelup Beach Road after around 5 minutes. Turn right at Meelup Beach where car parking is available. Walk on the coastal track east towards Castle Rock, or west to Eagle Bay.

7. CAPE NATURALISTE, LEEUWIN-NATURALISTE NATIONAL PARK

The Cape Naturaliste area comes alive with carpets of coastal wildflowers during spring. The easy to follow walk trails around the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse and provides spectacular viewing of wildflowers and coastal scenery including seals and whales in season. The Cape to Cape Track begins at the Lighthouse, and includes a wheelchair accessible track down to Sugarloaf Rock.

See: Dunsborough and Spider Orchid, Naturaliste Nancy, One-sided Bottle Brush.

Get there: Take the beautiful drive along Cape Naturaliste Road from Dunsborough. 10-15 minutes brings you to Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, where car parking is available.

8. MARGARET RIVER WALK TRAILS

A visit to Margaret River wouldn’t be complete without exploring the township’s easily accessible, pleasant walk trails. The trails here are rich in history, and include the Margaret River Heritage Trails, Wadandi Track and the Carters Road Walk Trails. Don’t forget the longer walk from Rotary Park to Ten Mile Brook Dam.

See: Hovea, Hibbertia, Wattle, yellow peas, Flying Duck Orchid, King-in-his Carriage and Rattle Beaks.

Get there: Walk trails begin within a short walk or drive from the centre of Margaret River. Stop in at the visitor centre and the team will point you in the right direction.

9. BORANUP FOREST, LEEUWIN-NATURALISTE NATIONAL PARK

Journey through the majestic Boranup Karri Forest to see the slender, pale-barked beauties towering above your head, and wildflowers around your feet. We recommend taking the scenic detour via Boranup Drive (unsealed). While here, take time to explore the caves which lie beneath the Leeuwin Naturaliste Ridge.

See: Deep Blue Karri Hovea, trailing Clematis, yellow Cone bush and Patersonia, Forest Mantis, Cowslip, Common Donkey and pink Fairy Orchids.

Get there: From Margaret River, travel south on Caves Road, which provides easy access to the forest. A visit to Mammoth Cave includes a scenic forest walk, and the cave guides will be happy to offer some tips on where to keep your eyes peeled.

10. CAPE LEEUWIN

Take in the spectacular coastal scenery at Cape Leeuwin, where the Southern and Indian Oceans meet to crash fiercely against the cape. Combine your wildflower walk with a visit to Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse and the nearby town of Augusta.

See: Augusta Bee, Funnel Web Spider and Vanilla Orchids, Wisteria, Clematis, Coastal Pimelea and Fan flowers.

Get there: Travel south from Augusta via Blackwood Avenue. Parking is available at Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse.

Wildflowers in the Margaret River Region. Credit Rachel Claire.

WILDFLOWER TOURS

Enjoy a stretch of the Cape To Cape Track with Cape to Cape Explorer Tours’ Full Day Guided Hike. Learn the fascinating properties of the surrounding wildflowers, bush plants and geology of the area.
Margaret River Discovery Co. offers the region’s only 4WD guided wildflower tour, followed by a wine tasting experience in a vineyard surrounded by wildflowers.
Get off the beaten track with Margaret River Exposed, a tour which offers access to all the national parks in the South West and secluded spots rich in wildlife and wildflowers. Complementary photography tuition is included.
Wander through stands of endemic orchids on the South West Eco Discoveries spring tour. Visit spectacular lookouts and iconic hotspots in the Dunsborough area.
Discover wildflowers in style with Walk into Luxury, a complete luxury walking experience that showcases the best of the Cape to Cape track alongside the region’s fine wine, gourmet produce and luxury accommodation.
Edgewalkers offers guided walking tours in Margaret River and along the Cape to Cape Track. Reconnect with nature on a half-day or full-day tour, or even a 3 day/2 night Cape to Cape Track adventure.
Visit Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse and its surrounding walk trails for the chance to see wildflowers in bloom on the cape as well as whales frolicking in the waters below. Truly a sight to behold!

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